ARKA News Agency, Armenia
June 23 2006
VIMPELCOM AND MTS AMONG FOUR COMPETITORS FOR PURCHASE OF ARMENTEL
ARMENIAN TELECOMMUNICATION COMPANY
YEREVAN, June 23. /ARKA/. Vimpelcom (the trademark of Bee Line)
and MTS are among the four competitors for purchase of ArmenTel
Armenian Telecommunication Company, the major owner of ArmenTel –
Organization of Telecommunications of Greece (OTE) announced, as
reported by RIA Novosty.
“OTE received 10 offers for purchase of 90% of ArmenTel’s shares
that OTE owns. After the offers were reviewed, Vimpelcom, MTS,
ETISALAT/Istithmar/ETV consortium and VTEL Holdings/Knightsbridge
Associates consortium will be invited for the next round of the
competition,” OTE reports.
ArmenTel has the biggest number of customers in Armenia, being the
monopolist of the fixed telephone network and one of the two cell-phone
operators of the country. The company’s 10% shares are held by the
Armenian government. Its turnover in 2005 reached EUR 110mln.
The tender for purchase of the 90% shares of ArmenTel was announced
by OTE in April 2006. Vimpelcom and MTS declared their intention to
participate in it at the beginning of June.
The results of the tender are expected to be available after July 20.
R.O. –0–

TREND Information, Azerbaijan
June 23 2006
President Aliyev: Azeri Ministry of Defense Industry to help army
Source: Trend
Author: S.Aliyev
23.06.2006
“The Ministry of Defense Industry has been setup in Azerbaijan
recently. Unless we were in the state of war, there would be no
necessity to establish such a ministry”, – reportedly said President
of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev.
“Until we solve Nagorno-Karabakh conflict we shall build a strong
military-industrial complex. We do much in this respect and I hope
strong military industry ill be created in Azerbaijan in short to
help the army in turn”, President noted.

Session of EurAsEC Interstate Council being held in Minsk
Kazinform, Kazakhstan
June 23 2006
MINSK. June 23, 2006. KAZINFORM /Yernur Akanbai/ Today June 23 Minsk
is hosting session of Interstate Council of Eurasian Economic Community
(EurAsEC).
At first the leaders of EurAsEC countries will convene in restricted
attendance. The Summit under chairmanship of Belarus President
Alexander Lukashenko will be attended by leader of Kazakhstan Nursultan
Nazarbayev, President of Russia Vladimir Putin, his counterpart form
Uzbekistan Islam Karimov, President of Kyrgyzstan Kurmanbek Bakiyev,
leader of Tajikistan Emomali Rakhmonov.
President of Armenia Robert Kocheryan has arrived in Minsk as well.
He is expected to attend the top-level meeting as an observer.
In his speech of welcome A. Lukashenko noted that his country had
always supported and would support integration processes on the
post-Soviet territory.
He stressed, unification of the states into regional economic and
political organizations was an objective process.
~SEurAsEC has everything to be an effective integration structure. 6
member-states of the organization possess vast economic, energy,
transport and human resources. We should learn how to organize our
work on mutually advantageous basis~T, the President of Belarus said.
According to A. Lukashenko, EurAsEC greatly contributed to economic
integration on the territory of CIS. It impeded disintegration in
the region.
In future the organization should become a progressive association
of economically and politically stable states. It will be a reliable
instrument for boosting efficiency of comprehensive cooperation of
member countries of the Community.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AzerTag, Azerbaijan
June 23 2006
WORKING GROUP OF STATE COMMISSION ON POWS, HOSTAGES AND MISSING
PERSONS RESPONSES TO CLAIMS OF INTERNATIONAL WORKING GROUP
[June 23, 2006, 14:15:04]
The working group of the State Commission on POWs, Hostages and
Missing Persons made a statement on Thursday to respond to the claims
by co-chairs of the international Working Group for the release of
prisoners and hostages and the tracing of Missing People of the
Karabakh conflict (IWG) that there is little chance of finding the
missing people.
The Commission states that both Azerbaijanis and Armenian were
missing in the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh and seven surrounding
regions occupied by the Armed Forces of the Republic of Armenia.
According to the Commission’s data as of 20 June, 2006, the total
number of the missing Azerbaijani citizens is 4581; the number of
missing Armenians is 414, of whom 197 are citizens of Armenia, 211
are citizens of Azerbaijan of Armenian national, and 6 are citizens
of other countries; 23 of the Armenians were missing in Armenia, 2 in
Georgia, 389 in Nagorno-Karabakh, and only 10 beyond the area of
military operations. Therefore, the statement says, it is obvious
that search operations should be carried out just in the mentioned
territories. However, repeated visits of the co-chairs of the
International Working Group to the region has failed to help in
finding out the fate of any missing person, even despite the
co-chairs’ statement on “open doors” for them in Nagorno-Karabakh.
“At the same time, they question their own claims on the people who
survived noting there is tiny chance to find them. The first thing
that should be done to find the missing people is to search for
them,” the statement continues.
“Regarding the alleged inhumane treatment of the former prisoners of
war in Azerbaijan, the things have nothing to do with how Mr.
Bernhard Clasen is trying to present them. No Azerbaijani authorities
persecute or convict anyone for being a prisoner of war. These
allegations by gentlemen from IWG are aimed at distraction of the
public from their primary duties: search of the missing persons,” the
Commission says in the statement.
“The Commission informs the public once again that out of 1388
Azerbaijanis released from captivity, only 20 persons have been
liable to criminal prosecution. All of them have been convicted for
concrete crimes provided for in the Criminal Code of the Azerbaijan
Republic. None of them was prosecuted for being a former POW.
Therefore, the gentlemen from the International Working Group should
devote their short visits to what this non-governmental organization
was created for,” the statement says in conclusion.

Ïðaâî Âûaîða, Azerbaijan
Democratic Azerbaijan
June 23 2006
Azerbaijani Soldier Is Ready to Liberate Our Occupied Territories
23.06.2006
21 June a group of MPs visited some military unites on frontline
conducted the press-conference devoted to visit results. Members of
Milli Majlis said that soldiers’ morale, their food securing, etc.
are at high level. Our soldiers are ready to liberate our lands from
occupation any time and are waiting for just order of the Supreme
Commander-in-Chief.
MPs said that attention and care of the Head of State, the Supreme
Commander-in-Chief, Ilham Aliyev about Armed Forces, the steps taken
by him for strengthening of logistics of the Army and reinforcement
of the military’s social protection are perceived in military units
with great enthusiasm.
Affirming the facts of burning of occupied territories by Armenians,
MPs told: “The enemy understands well that time does not work for them,
and very soon they will be obliged to leave the occupied lands.
That’s why they burn down our grounds, forests, and destroy our
national cultural wealth, monuments, demonstrating once more their
true brutal face.”
Our MPs stated that they will address to international organizations
in order to bring the facts of vandalism to awareness of international
community.
Then MPs responded to journalists’ questions.
–Boundary_(ID_rVCD5dHP7NO7Z/iyU9XePw) —
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Ïðaâî Âûaîða, Azerbaijan
Democratic Azerbaijan
June 23 2006
“Zerkalo”: Wanted Zori Balayan who secretly visited Holland, holds
that Armenians should support Persians
23.06.2006
Yesterday joint meeting of initiative group of Congress of Azerbaijanis
living in Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxemburg, World Union of
Azerbaijani Political immigrants and society “Friends of Azerbaijan”
was held in Amsterdam. The Union informed APA about it.
During the meeting the issue on recent secret visit of wanted Zori
Balayan to Holland was discussed.
It should be mentioned that Z. Balayan is accused of terrorist
activity. During the meeting it was informed that Z. Balayan stressed
the weakness of activity of Armenian diaspora in Holland during secret
meetings with Armenian community. He also said that if situation is
not changed, organizations of Turks and Azerbaijanis would be stronger
than Armenian diaspora.
Z. Balayan expressed his attitude towards events in Iran. He declared
that these events may cause problems for Armenia that is why Armenians
should support Persians.
–Boundary_(ID_5HwodITDULIi+Q+CruQlAw)- –
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Ïðaâî Âûaîða, Azerbaijan
Democratic Azerbaijan
June 23 2006
“Zerkalo”: Uncontrolled Territories May be Dangerous for Europe
23.06.2006
It was stated by the head of the Ministry of National Security during
the meeting with Chief Executive of International Organization on
Migration.
Yesterday Minister of National Security of Azerbaijan, Eldar
Makhmudov met with Chief Executive of International Organization on
Migration, B. McKinley. Minister acquainted guests with processes
going on in the region. Possible dangers in this direction were
focused on, as “Trend” informs referring to information from Public
Relations Center of the Ministry.
During the meeting problems of international terrorism, illegal drug
transaction, illegal migration and transnational organized crime were
discussed. E. Makhmudov acquainted B. McKinley with work carried out
by the Ministry in this direction.
Minister touched upon problems connected with occupied territories of
Nagarni Garabagh. Accordingly to him, the fact that over 132 km. of
frontiers are not controlled now, is dangerous not only for
Azerbaijan but for Europe, as it would be helpful for illegal drug
transaction and illegal migration.
–Boundary_(ID_xY7IqFzWwXxm0KkkV+3krA )–

Today, Azerbaijan
June 23 2006
Matthew Bryza announces details of framework treaty on Karabakh
conflict
23 June 2006 [16:36] – Today.Az
“The parties to the Nagorno Karabakh conflict are negotiating on the
items of the framework treaty regarding Armenian armed forces’
withdrawal from Azerbaijani territories,” OSCE Minsk Group new US
co-chair Matthew Bryza stated.
The co-chair said the framework treaty will enable to normalize
economic relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia. He said this
treaty is about deploying peacekeepers in the conflict zone,
international economic support and several other issues.
“The treaty also envisages holding of a referendum in Nagorno
Karabakh after all these issues are completely solved. I call on the
Azerbaijani and Armenian Presidents to sign the framework treaty on
the settlement of the conflict. There is a need to demonstrate
political will for that,” Mr.Bryza said.
The OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs yesterday presented a report the OSCE
Permanent Council regarding the negotiating process for the
settlement of the conflict, APA reports.
URL:

NKR PRESIDENT OFFERED TO HOLD INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES IN KARABAKH EVERY YEAR
DeFacto Agency, Armenia
June 23 2006
June 22 the Nagorno Karabakh Republic (NKR) President Arkady Ghoukasyan
met with the participants of an international scientific conference
titled “NKR: Past, Present, Future” held in Stepanakert.
According to the information DE FACTO got at the NKR President Press
Service, having welcomed the guests representing scientific circles
of about 10 countries, Arkady Ghoukasyan remarked the organization
of an authoritative scientific conference on the Artsakh land
was one more step towards the NKR’s international recognition and
worthy representation on the international arena. Nagorno Karabakh
President said the Karabakh conflict would hardly be settled in
the near future, while the adversaries of the issue’s solution had
brought the conflict to the political, economic and even scientific
field, avoiding a dialogue. “We have to accept a challenge, and your
scientific potential and rich experience should become our strong
mainstay in the struggle”, noted the President.
In the course of the meeting the interlocutors exchanged opinions
on the issues referring to the development of the sphere of science
and education in the NKR. Arkady Ghoukasyan expressed readiness to
examine all the ideas and projects relevant to the subject. While
answering the guests’ questions, the NKR President suggested that
such scientific conferences should be held in Karabakh every year.
NKR government Chair Anoushavan Danielyan, NKR government Deputy
Chair Ararat Danielyan and NKR Minister of Education, Culture and
Sport Kamo Atayan were also present at the meeting.

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
June 23 2006
President Ilham Aliyev: Azerbaijan needs to change its policy as
Armenia shows incompliance with international norms
[ 23 Jun. 2006 15:48 ]
Graduation ceremony was held at Azerbaijan’s Higher Military School
named after Heydar Aliyev on the occasion of graduation from the Armed
Forces educational institutions and Medical University’s military
medicine faculty (APA).
Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev also attended the graduation
ceremony. Addressing the ceremony, the head of state said the state
is taking much care of army institution in Azerbaijan noting that
military budget was raised for four times in the past three months.
The President stressed that the military budget was $135 million in
2003 and reached nearly $700 million in 2006.
“The salaries of military men increased three times in the past three
months. We know well from the history that a strong army means a
strong state,” Mr.Aliyev said.
Touching on the Nagorno Garabagh conflict, the Supreme
Commander-in-Chief regretted for fruitless result so far.
“The world is ruled in accordance with certain rules. The influential
organizations such as the UN, Council of Europe, GUAM, Organization
of the Islamic Conference, Organization of Economic Development have
stated their positions and adopted fair decisions regarding this
issue. However, Armenia ignores the positions of the international
organizations. The territorial integrity of Azerbaijan cannot
be the topic of the negotiations. We welcome the efforts of the
international organizations regarding the continuation of the
negotiating process. However, out patience is not endless. Armenian
does not comply with international norms, in this case, Azerbaijan
has to make changes to its policy. How long will the negotiating
process last and how long shall we wait?
Armenia cannot be a rival to us and it is a reality that we are
more powerful. As far as we know, they find it difficult to protect
the contact front line due to lack of forces while Azerbaijan is
developing speedily in all spheres and becoming powerful day by day,”
President Aliyev noted.
The President also said the state budget has reached $5 billion and
total budget is much higher. The head of state stressed that the Gross
Domestic Product increased by 26% and by 40% in the past five months,
400,000 new work places have been opened, more than 300 schools were
built and several other important measures were implemented./APA/
From: Baghdasarian